City of Ukiah plans to cut down three large redwoods

The City of Ukiah has determined that three large redwood trees near the corner of South School and West Mill streets are in poor health and should be cut down.

According to a report prepared by arborist John Phillips, the trees directly in front of The Ukiah Daily Journal at 590 S. School St. are suffering from a lack of water and are too large for where they were planted.

"All three trees are showing signs of soil water deficit and are consequently in poor health," Phillips wrote in a letter to city staff dated July 24. "If the trees survive, they will continue to shed limbs."

Phillips said pruning to lessen the chance of a branch falling would likely "require cutting back the entire crown of the tree," which he said would only be temporary and likely have a negative effect on the trees' overall health.

If the trees were in perfect health, however, Phillips said they would pose a problem because they are "too big for their location. If they were in more robust health, they would likely disturb the pavement and sidewalks."

Assistant City Manger Sage Sangiacomo said the trees posed a threat to public safety because of the chance of limbs falling and that the city was "moving forward with removal" of the trees and was in the process of soliciting bids for the work.

Sangiacomo said members of the city's Tree Advisory Group were notified of the removal plan and he had not received a "negative response" from them.

Sangiacomo notified The Daily Journal of its plans to remove the trees, though they are on city property and the city does not need permission from the business.

Employees at the business said the last time a limb fell off one of the trees it did not reach the ground as it was stopped by the branches below it. They recalled that it was also possible a branch has fallen during intense windstorms.

Publisher Kevin McConnell said the trees did have brown tips in the past due to lack of water, but since he took steps to have the trees watered more thoroughly the trees have shown improvement.

The city faced a similar situation recently with a large oak tree near the Grace Hudson Museum in the 400 block of South Main Street that had shed large branches in the past and was deemed a public safety risk.

Phillips said pruning that tree would likely have a negative effect on its health, as well, but city staff deemed it central to future plans at the museum and had it pruned instead of removing it.

Justine Frederiksen can be reached at udjjf@ukiahdj.com, on Twitter @JustFrederiksen or at 468-3521.